Those who garden realize the rewards of their efforts when the harvest comes. While grocers can now ship produce to us year-round, the best taste still comes from the local harvest. So like Mrs. Patmore smart cooks prepare what is in season for the best taste.

And speaking of our favorite cook, PBS announced the launch date of Season 6 of Downton Abbey, and yes, this will be the last season of this wonderful show. If you have not been following along, Julian Fellowes, who writes the show, has signed a deal to write an American version called The Gilded Age. Since he cannot write two shows at once, it was finally decided that this will be the final season of Downton. We will have to say goodbye, and let our favorite characters live out the rest of their fictional lives off camera.

There are still many months before the launch (The UK will likely see a Sept. launch date), and we should not let the summer harvest pass us by. I visited our family estate (farm) in July and remembererd just how sweet peas are, so today we will be making a simple classic dish of Peas in Béchamel. It can be served upstairs as a side dish or downstairs as Creamed Peas on Toast.

It is time to celebrate. Scotland is still part of the UK (apologies to those who wished to separate, but we would have really missed you), and ITV has begun broadcasting Season 5 of Downton in the UK. I won’t comment on E1 other than to say that Season 5 starts off like a wonderful stew set on simmer, which is key to blending flavors, and that “donk” is my new favorite word.

It is also my 200th post here. I still wonder about where my passion for this show and its food comes from. So many stories, glimpses into food history, and wonderful Downton inspired dishes. The dishes are catalogued in the Recipe Index. Some of them and many others are perfectly packaged in my online cookbook Abbey Cooks Entertain, always at the ready on your smartphone or tablet.

I can’t believe I haven’t already shared this recipe from my cookbook, but I can’t think of any better recipe to celebrate than Lord D’s Pork Roast.

It is a historic week in the UK. While American Downton Abbey fans might be envious about the launch of Season 5 on ITV this Sunday, it is the Scottish Referendum which has the captured the world’s attention. This Thursday, September 18th, Scots will vote on a simple question “Should Scotland be an independent country? To keep up to date, follow BBC coverage at Scotland Decides.

In this last week of Downton Downtime in the UK, today’s dish is Made Over Pork Stew. I prefer to use the term “made over” over “left over” when creating a downstairs dish from the remainders of an upstairs meal.

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Pamela Foster

A culinary historian and Downton fan (not officially connected to the Show or its producers) fascinated by the fine, yet simple food of the post Edwardian period of Downton Abbey. Great food has a history and connects us with our past. Wouldn't it be lovely to add a touch of elegance to your Abbey?